Importance of NSL comes into focus during its historic opening week

The past week in Canadian women's soccer has been tremendous and unprecedented. Even after 15 years in sports journalism, I've never had the opportunity to cover this level of women's soccer at home.

Along with the stories of players, press conferences, and the plans to cover the newly launched Northern Super League, there were also emotions on all fronts. More than once, a league staff member, player, media person, and so many fans admitted they felt emotional at various times. There were also very poignant moments on the pitch.

At the first game in NSL history last Wednesday, Calgary Rise FC's Sonia O'Neill walked out onto the pitch for the pre-match ceremonies with her toddler daughter on her hip. There are only a few moms playing in the league, but the choice to do this is impactful.

There's the love and appreciation of the beautiful game, but there's also the happiness about this league actually existing and the opportunities it creates.

There were some clear rising stars like Holly Ward of Vancouver Rise, who just flew up the left side every time and presented as a dangerous attacker from the first whistle. She didn't score but the joy that erupted in BC Place when her teammate Quinn did was phenomenal.

That, coupled with the impact of play-by-play announcer and friend Signa Butler's voice, had me almost tear up at that moment. I think I've watched that goal about 20 times, and will probably watch it 20 more.

WATCH | Rise FC's Quinn scores first goal in NSL history:

There is something that feels particularly poetic about Quinn being the first goalscorer in the NSL. This is a league built by a storied Canadian player, Diana Matheson, who played alongside Quinn. Matheson dedicated time and energy to make this a reality in a country that absolutely deserved this.

Wild FC goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec had a fantastic match and largely kept her team in the game, despite the penalty conversion by Quinn. The importance of playing in Canada is not lost on her.

"This means everything. For young girls to know they can play professionally on home soil, it means everything," Bukovec said after the match. "My dream was always in Europe or somewhere else, or America, but not in Canada."

WATCH | Christine Sinclair on NSL's momentous kick-off:

Bukovec is most looking forward to playing against AFC Toronto because her family will be able to attend.

"I'm from Toronto and my family has never actually seen me play live because I've been playing in Europe for the last nine years," she said.

A few days later at Toronto's BMO Stadium, the fans were in full force to support AFC Toronto's debut against the Montreal Roses. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik were on hand to usher in a new era for women's sports in the city. There were representatives of the PWHL's Toronto Sceptres and the WNBA expansion Toronto Tempo on the pitch during the pre-match ceremony.

The pace of the match started with an absolute blast when Roses co-captain Tanya Boychuk intercepted a wayward AFC pass and fired it home just two minutes in.

WATCH | Tanya Boychuk scores winner as Montreal Roses FC defeats AFC Toronto:

The crowd seemed stunned but quickly regained momentum and energy every time Toronto player Colby Barnett ran up the left side. Montreal Roses would take the win and goalkeeper Anna Karpenko had a standout performance. Roses captain Mégane Sauvé said Karpenko's work ethic dictates her savvy and performance and that she wasn't surprised at her stellar performance.

"It's important for us to come and play an interesting game of soccer, and to keep the ball. Yes, it's chaotic," Sauvé said after the match. "But I think we came today and showed our intentions to play proper soccer .. and that Quebecois players are good. It was fun to show that today to Canadians."

I can't help but feel the strength and weight of this past week. More than 28,500 spectators came out in two different cities to watch women play professional soccer in Canada.

As I stood in the press box in Toronto, I couldn't help but feel slightly choked up. It was the same feeling I had in Vancouver just a few days previous, but this felt like a homecoming. As I stood during the anthem, flanked by former students and aspiring sports journalists who are dedicated to covering women's sport, I couldn't help but think that this was a win. A win for sport, for girls, for the media and for dreams.

Amy Walsh, a broadcast analyst, colour commentator and former national team player, said she held it together and didn't let sweeping emotions take over. But there have been moments when she has allowed herself to feel intense pride, friendship and love for her friend, Matheson.

"I had to almost separate myself from it because I felt intense duty to Diana, to past players, to myself and to players who made this come to fruition," Walsh said with emotion. "It was a necessary coping mechanism for me to do my job and to do it justice. she "If we were being given this platform, and that the players were being given this platform … that we did it justice and made it as good as it could be."

This is an instance that anyone who has contributed to this moment, should allow themselves to take a breath, take a bow before they continue to work to help shape and grow women's soccer in Canada.